Holiday safety tips
Police car on emergency call
The Oskaloosa Police Department is reminding the Community of some basic Holiday safety tips that should make this a more enjoyable time of the year for all. Shopping during the holiday season can present unique situations. Taking a few prevention measures can help keep your holiday season joyous.
Possibly the most basic rule of thumb doubles as being the most enjoyable: take a friend and travel in pairs. Women – and men – become less vulnerable to crime when traveling as a pair especially since darkness comes earlier during the holiday shopping season. If shopping after dark, park in a well lighted area. A second parking option is parking near the shopping cart return corral so you can unload merchandise and return the cart without walking across the parking lot. Do not hesitate to ask store management or security for an escort to your vehicle.
Do not leave valuables or shopping sack purchases visible within your vehicle. Place items where they cannot be seen – in the trunk, under seats, on the floor under a blanket, to discourage a theft. The single most important thing you can do is lock your vehicles at all times. One of the most common criminal ploys is to wander around a parking lot as though looking for one’s car. In reality, that poor lost shopper may actually be a criminal waiting to see someone place packages in their car and return to a store.
Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings. Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, “con – artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings; report any suspicious activity.
When possible, pay for items with a debit/credit card or check; avoid “flashing” large amounts of cash when purchasing items; keep cash on your person within your front pocket. Carry your purse or wallet close to your body or, better yet, avoid taking a purse and carry a wallet in a front pocket. Do not leave your purse or wallet unattended, even for a moment and never leave your purse open where someone can easily reach in and steal your wallet. Do not place your purse upon the back of a chair while eating; put your purse between your feet on the floor or upon your lap.
Additionally, when you leave your residence make sure the doors are locked. This would include times when you are working in the backyard; lock the doors not visible to you. Many residential burglaries occur when an individual walks up to a door, knocks and no one answers the door. They then try the door, if it’s unlocked, they simply walk in.
Families like to display their decorated Christmas trees within a front window visible to the street. Around the tree, the residents have placed valuable presents and packages for their family and friends. If the packages and presents are visible from the window or the door area, and the door is left unlocked, that is an invitation for someone to walk in and take the presents.
The Oskaloosa Police Department will be patrolling the residential and business areas throughout the holiday season. The Police Department encourages the community to do their part – lock it up – your car and your residence. You know your neighbor and neighborhood. Become a nosey neighbor; when something doesn’t look or sound right it probably isn’t. Report suspicious activity; the 24 hour phone police department phone number is 641-672-2557.
We can all make the difference by working together in having a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
Source: Oskaloosa Police Department
